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'Pogoplug' Device Makes Any USB Hard Drive into NAS

Posted 01/08/09 at 11:01:47 AM  by Paul Lilly

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CES is the time to unveil nifty devices, and that's what Cloud Engines has done with its Pogoplug. Essentially a USB-to-NAS adapter, the small gadget connects external USB hard drives to the internet through your router.

"Consumers are buying millions of external drives to store their personal content, yet extending this content outside the home is overly difficult.," said Daniel Putterman, chief executive officer of Cloud Engines, Inc. "Pogoplug makes this possible for anyone, with no network setup or configuration."

Cloud Engines claims the setup routine will only take seconds with no network configuration hassles or other installation woes. Just plug the Pogoplug into an electric outlet, connect the Ethernet cable to your router, and attach your USB hard drive, the company says. Once the registration code is entered, end users will be able to access data from anywhere with an internet connection using Windows Explorer or Mac Finder. The Pogoplug also comes with an iPhone application, and an open API for developers to code their own nifty third party programs.

The Pogoplug is available now for pre-order through www.pogoplug.com at an introductory price of $80, with an MSRP set at $100. Shipping expected in March.

Image Credit: Cloud Engine

COMMENTS:4
TAGS: nas, consumer electronics, CES2009, pogoplug
COMMENTS
avatarJust got mine

Submitted by bjazz on Tue, 04/14/2009 - 2:54pm

This is a nice little device.  I just got mine today.  It's a great way to share files over a home network (wife and I have one large backup drive that we had previously needed to physically move to each computer to access it).  The online interface is a bit pokey, but easy to use.  And they make it very easy to share one file, or a whole folder with anyone else with an email address - kind of my own FTP server for freelance work.

As of now, no print server capability.  I hope that comes soon.  And expansion is possible by using a USB hub.

Getting it to look and function like a regular hard drive requires running a service in your system tray, but it works.

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avatar I love the idea. It would

Submitted by Shalbatana on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 8:41pm

 I love the idea. It would be perfect for someone like me. Agreed that ext usb drives cost the same, but NAS boxes cost considerably more. Now I can have either option for the cost of one more drive.

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avatarI think an MSRP of 100

Submitted by Jox on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 7:01pm

I think an MSRP of 100 dollars is a little high when you consider that most USB HDD's are selling for the same price, or less. At $25, this device might have some value, but it really does nothing that I can't do simply by leaving my PC on with the USB drive connected.

 

-Jox

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avatarSounds like a great idea...but the name might be a problem

Submitted by Marcus_Soperus on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 12:10pm

I'm looking forward to giving the Pogoplug a try, as it will make my ever-expanding family of external hard disk drives a new place to play.

I'm wondering how Pogoplug will handle file-sharing conflicts, which is one of the reasons most previous NAS devices have included client software. And, I'm wondering if the name will raise any hackles with Polaroid, which is already selling a portable printer called the PoGo Instant Mobile Printer.

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